Contemporary at Blue Star invites the community to join us for the opening of three new solo exhibitions on Friday, July 11, from 6–9pm. Each of the featured artists, Nadia Botello, Fabiola Menchelli, and Jason Willome create unique installations with artworks that encourage viewers to activate the art through touch or movement. Our opening is free and open to all.

 

Contemporary at Blue Star is thrilled to announce the exciting return of the Red Dot Shop: a curated collection of specialty artworks available for sale alongside our annual Red Dot exhibition.

We are seeking artists to contribute works such as prints, ceramics, accessories, small objects, and other unique pieceswithin the price range of $20 to $250. The goal of the Red Dot Shop is to offer accessible, collectible artworks for art lovers of all budgets.

️Red Dot Shop Dates: November 12, 2025 – January 4, 2026

All sales will be split 70% back to the artist and 30% to Contemporary at Blue Star. This commission supports our year-round exhibitions, education programs, and artist opportunities.

If you’re interested in participating, please submit your information using the form below by Friday, August 1, 2025.

Interested in a trying out a new medium? Join the Contemporary at Blue Star for the latest installment of “Stich and ‘Wich” a community-building fiber arts workshop series where participants learn a new medium, while enjoying tea sandwiches!

Inspired by the work of Paloma Rosenzweig on view in the Contemporary’s main exhibition In the Shadows, Our Ghosts Lurk (En Las Sombras, Nuestros Fantasmas Acechan) participants will learn the basic of soft sculpture techniques as they reflect on the tactile and conceptual nature of this medium.

+ This event is free with registration (link below)

Calling all families! The Contemporary welcomes visitors of all-ages to an art-making afternoon packed with activities like button-making, paper marbling, and more!

Explore the Contemporary’s summer exhibitions featuring the work of artists Jason Willome, Nadia Botello, Fabiola Menchelli, and artists from our main exhibition In the Shadows, Our Ghosts Lurk (En Las Sombras, Nuestros Fantasmas Acechan) curated by Fabiola Iza. During Family Day, we encourage guests to slow down to observe, reflect, and connect with art—and then make your own masterpiece to take home!

Hands-on Activities Include

⭐ Create unique rubbings with artist Jason Willome

⭐ Work with Nadia Botello to create beautiful paper-marbling pieces

⭐ Make a kaleidoscope with Rosie Reid

⭐ Create a button and god’s eye (yarn weavings) with Contemporary staff

+ This event is free and open to the public

+ Light refreshments will be provided

 

Join the Contemporary for the summer edition of “Taco Talk” an exhibition program and curator walk-through with coffee and breakfast tacos. Learn about the work in Fabiola Menchelli’s ombré, Jason Willome’s When a Mind Wanders, and Nadia Botello’s Theophany. Visitors will have the opportunity to ask questions and engage with the artists and the Contemporary’s Exhibitions Director and Curator, Jacqueline Saragoza McGilvray.

+ Registration is required for this free program (link below). Would you like to support exhibition programs like these? Consider donating $5 with your registration!

 

Explore the possibilities of linocut printmaking in this hands-on art master class. Participants will learn a range of carving techniques and the basics of relief printing from concept and design to editioning.

The Contemporary’s Master Class program is a community engagement education program that focuses on hands-on learning from a professional artist that demonstrates a mastery of their working medium. This program offers participants exceptional instruction of art techniques and culminates in a showcase of the participants work. Materials and supplies will be provided to participants at no additional cost.

Linocut Relief Printmaking’s showcase will be displayed in the Contemporary’s Learning Lab Thursday, August 21, 2025.

Schedule

Saturday July 5, 10am–1pm
Saturday July 12, 10am–1pm
Saturday July 19, 10am–1pm
Saturday July 26, 10am–1pm
Saturday August 2, 10am–1pm
Thursday August 21, 5pm–7pm

Interested in alternative embroidery artworks? Join the Contemporary in a beginner friendly embroidery workshop. Participants will learn basic tie dye and embroidery techniques, enhancing tie-dyed flags with embroidery to create a unique piece of art, all while enjoying tea sandwiches!

This event is free and open to everyone with registration (link below).

Would you like to support programs like these? Consider donating $5 with your registration!

About the instructor

Leticia “Leti” R. Molina is a multidisciplinary artist based in San Antonio, Texas. A native of Central Texas, Leti draws inspiration from her local art scene, as well as from her cultural heritage rooted in both Austin, Texas, and Guanajuato, Mexico.

As a first-generation Mexican American and someone born hard of hearing, Leti focuses on mixed media art as both a form of self-expression and a tool for navigating her identity. Challenges with verbal communication at an early age led her to develop a visual language through art, as a primary means of expression to convey her thoughts, and emotions. Leti’s work often explores themes central to the Mexican American experience, such as cultural appropriation, ableism, and racial discrimination.

Join the Contemporary for an afternoon of sustainable fashion fun in a Gender Affirming clothing swap. Get items out of your closet and give them a new life with someone new or with a personalized alteration. Contemporary will provide materials to sew, embroider, and otherwise alter items of clothing you bring or swap with someone else.  
 
Participants are asked to bring at least three freshly laundered clothing items in good, ready-to-wear condition to enter the swap. You can also bring items you want to alter and keep for yourself! 
 
This event is free and open to everyone with registration (link below).

Would you like to support exhibition programs like these? Consider donating $5 with your registration! 
 

Free & Open to High School Students

Have you ever wanted to illustrate your own comic? This “Drawing and Designing Comics” session is an introduction to the elements of visual storytelling, from character design to page layout and dialogue. Students will develop writing, drawing, and design skills and are encouraged to develop their personal style and voice. In addition to technical skills, an exploration of creative thinking, problem solving, and critical analysis will be studied.

Schedule
June 11 – July 18, 2025
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

No class: June 19, July 4

Location
Contemporary at Blue Star
116 Blue Star
San Antonio TX, 78204

Questions? 
Contact our Education and Public Programs Manager: Juan Zavala Castro at juan@contemporarysa.org or (210)-985-3732